Sound-indicator.



Patented Aug. l5, I899.

C. SALMOND.

SOUND INDICATOR.

(Application filed Sept. 6, 1898.

(No Model.)

Nirnn SOUND-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,990, dated August15, 1899.

Application filed September 6, 1898. Serial No. 690,365. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, COLIN SALMOND, a citizen of the United States,residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSound-Indicators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of said invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make,use, and practice the same.

This invention relates to improvements in sound-indicators; and itconsists in the novel construction and arrangement of the parts, ashereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the invention. Fig. 2is a plan view of the indicator, the receiver being removed. Fig. 3 is avertical section of a segment of the stand ard, taken on a central linethrough the graduated disk. Fig. 4is a detail view in section, showingthe construction of the handle for releasing, locking, and rotating thelever.

The instrument herein shown and described is particularly designed foruse upon vessels during foggy weather or in the night. It consists in atrumpet-like receiver A so constructed as to gather the sound-waves andconcentrate them at the small end after the manner of the megaphone orspeaking-trumpet. This receiver is mounted in a hinged joint upon avertical shaft B, the lower end of which is adapted to fit within thetop of a hollow tube or standard C. The standard C is here shown asprovided with a foot or base C, which may be securelyfastened upon thedeck or bridge of a vessel.

The standard 0 is provided with a graduated disk C upon the surface ofwhich are marked various divisions, preferably in conformity withcompass-markings. The principal marks or the zero-marks are placedparallel with the keel of the ship when the standard C is secured inposition. The shaft B is provided with a cone-shaped collar B to preventits further insertion into the standard C and to form an easybearing forthe shaft B.

Mounted rigidly upon the shaft B, in line with the hinge for thereceiver or in line with the receiver itself, is a pointer 13*. Thispointer is so placed that when the shaft 13 is mounted on the standard Cthe pointer rests just above the disk C The rear extension of thepointer is provided with a handle B with which it is designed to rotatethe shaft Band the receiver A.

When there is more or less draft or movement of air produced by themotion of the vessel, it is desired to lock the instrument in itsposition when the direction of the sound is ascertained or at othertimes to prevent its moving with the air. handle B is mounted inbearings in the rear end of the pointer B and a spiral spring B isprovided adapted to draw the handle B toward the center of the disk 0which is passed through the bearings,is provided in the end with a toothB, the office of which is to engage the serrations or teeth out in theedge of the disk. This serves as a lock for the device in all of itspositions.

The receiver A, I have designed to perform the double function ofreceiver and trumpet, or, in other words, to hear with or to speakthrough. For this purpose I have provided the instrument with themouthpiece A of the ordinary trumpet shape. When used as a receiver, Iconnect to this end a short length of flexible tubing A by means of theplug A formed on the end thereof. Upon the other end of the flexibletube is provided an earcap A I find the double use to which thisinstrument can be put of great advantage, particularly in ships ofconsiderable size, for in many instances, particularly in high wind, thereport from the lookout at the bow cannot ordinarily be heard with thenaked ear, nor can the repetitionof the order be heard by him inresponse. Both, however, can be easily accomplished by means of thisinvention, as the officer to Whom the report is made can by listeningthrough the receiver distinctly hear the report and by removing theflexible tube A and speaking through the receiver-A transmit hisresponse or order distinctly to the lookout in the bow.

In its opera tion as asound indicator or finder the instrument isgenerally used as follows: Passing through a fog, the sound of asteamwhistle is heard and it is very important to as certain, ifpossible, the exact location from which the sound emanates. If it is ashoresignahthe navigator by obtaining his exact direction may ascertain,by whatis known to the A rod B For this purpose the mariner as thefour-point measurement,-

his exact distance off the shore and also his exact location on thechart. If it is the whistle of an approaching steamer, he may ascertainon which bow she is approaching and make his answering-signals accord.Having this instrument mounted in position, the officer on watch placesthe ear-cap over his ear and grasps the handle B ready to sweep thereceiver around in the general direction of the sound theinstant hecatches it the-second time. To move theinstrument, he draws the handleoutward and when the sound starts he may sweep the receiver about untilhe ascertains the point at which he gets the sound clearest and inlargest Volume. He may then release the handle, so as to allow the toothB to strike in the teeth of the disk 0 to hold the instrument steadilyin position. He is now at leisure, without fear of the instrumentshifting, to mark the point of deviation of the sound with reference tohis course. This may be repeated several times to ascertain thecorrectness of his observation.

I have found by the use of this instrument that the sound comes full andclear only when the instrument is turned directly toward the object fromwhich the sound emanates. The variation of a few points is distinctlyperceptible.

By means of the construction herein shown the receiver and its standardmay be readily unshipped and stowed away during the times when it is notdesired for use and as readily and easily replaced in position when sodesired. By the use of an instrument of the -h eariu g.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is 1. A soundindicator comprising a hollow standard, a graduated disk secured uponthe end thereof, a shaft passing through an opening in the disk andentering the standard, said shaft being rotatable in said disk andstandard, a sound-receiving instrument mounted upon said shaft, and amember having an opening therein through which the shaft passes, saidmember being fixed to the shaft to turn therewith and having upon oneend a pointer cooperating with the disk and upon its other end a handlefor operating the shaft; substantially as described.

2. In a sound-indicator, a trumpet-like sound receiving and transmittingmember provided with a mouthpiece, an earpiece, a flexible tube uponsaid earpiece, and a tapering plug upon said tube adapted to detachablyfit the mouthpiece of the trumpetlike member; substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day ofAugust, 1898.

COLIN SALMOND.

. lVitnesses:

E. F. MURDocK, M. II. IIARMs.

